“Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
Have you ever heard the stories of God providing for someone in an unexpected way? Well the Bible is packed full of stories like that but I’m talking about stories from people in this day and age. People that you know and some that you don’t.
I’ve heard the stories and I’ve rejoiced with those who were shown such favor from God. But I never thought it would happen the same way to me.
The Azusa Revival was this past weekend in Los Angeles California at the Memorial Coliseum. It was the 110th anniversary of a revival that broke out in 1906. I had first heard about the revival while listening to a podcast by Bill Johnson, Pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, CA, and He was just briefly mentioning the vision behind the day and that more details would follow.
That was the first I had heard of the event and my spirit leapt inside of me! I knew that I had to be apart of it. While I was still on the field, leading Y Squad, I was asking the Lord what the next steps were and one main thing He told me, and has been cultivating in me for a while now, is REVIVAL.
So I began researching the trip at the beginning of March. My plan was to get a job, earn the money and pay my way. That did not work out how I had planned…at all. I had interviewed at a few places and had heard nothing back. It didn’t help my case that I’m leaving in June to attend the Hillside Intensive/Burn Wagon in Harrisburg, PA. Which I’m super looking forward to!
The job search seemed to be failing but I kept trying. I interviewed for my old job back at the Sermon Center and at Home Depot. I was blessed with both positions on the same day!! The Lord provided but I still had training to do and wouldn’t start a normal work schedule for a while.
Fast forward to April 4th, I had a tantrum before the Lord. I was asking Him why He would tell me this thing and then not provide for me. Yet, I knew that He would provide but why wasn’t it coming. I went on and on and on. Finally, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “Benita, stop looking at the natural and believe me for the supernatural. Remind yourself of my faithfulness.” He was right. I was getting caught up in the logic of this world and expecting God to react to my tantrum. He so lovingly and gently reminded me that I needed to shift my perspective. So I repented and did just that. Was it easy? No. But necessary…YES!!
I went to work on Thursday, the day before my flight, and one of my coworkers was asking me some questions about the trip and I mentioned that I didn’t have a ticket home yet. She started to worry about me and said if I was her daughter she wouldn’t let me go and blah blah blah. I had to stop her there and let her know that I had the same tantrum to the Lord but He reminded me of his faithfulness towards me in the past and that He would be faithful again. I didn’t know exactly how but I knew that He would, because that’s His nature as a loving Father.
Friday morning, April 8th (my birthday), rolls around and I wake up and start checking flights again. Maybe there will a cheap one somewhere. I found something but the site was having mechanical errors when I tried to purchase the ticket. So I stop trying and hop in the car with my mum to head to the airport. We talk about random stuff and neither of us are worried at the fact that I don’t have a flight home. I tell my mum thanks and I’ll call her when I get to Cali.
I don’t have a bag to check so I sit and wait for the gate/TSA to open up. I start reading my devotional and a man sitting a couple seats away from me starts a conversation.
Man: Hi. Are you on the flight to California?
Me: Yes. I am!
Man: Me too. Where are you from?
Me: I’m from Kansas City.
Man: Oh okay. I’m from California but I travel a lot for my business. So I’m here in KC often. What are you going to California for?
Me: The Azusa Revival. It’s in Los Angeles at the Memorial Coliseum. It will be tomorrow, April 9th.
Man: Oh I haven’t heard about that. Are you going with a group?
Me: No, it’s just me. Today is my birthday and when I heard about the event I knew that I had to be there. It’s the 110th anniversary of the revival that happened on Azusa street in 1906.
Man: What will you be doing there?
Me: We will praying a lot. Interceding for our nation, praying for healing and salvation for people. And worshiping!
Man: I’m a believer too.
Me: Oh that’s wonderful!
Man: So who are you staying with while you’re there?
Me: A friend of mine found me a place to stay with her friend.
Man: Are you planning to do anything fun while you’re down there?
Me: Well, I hope to go down to Santa Monica and see the ocean, if the weather allows. It’s suppose to rain for the next 3 days.
Man: Yeah, we never have weather like that there. When are you coming back home?
Me: (Laughs) Well, I need to come back on Sunday because I have to work on Monday. But I don’t have a flight home yet. I just had enough to rent a car and buy a one way ticket. I have some spending money for the trip but if I have to buy a ticket home, I won’t have any. But it’s okay, I’m just waiting on the Lord to let me know what to do.
Man: Yeah. Sometimes He has to part our red seas.
Me: Oh yeah! Definitely.
Man: So what are you saying? You just need $500 and you’ll have a flight home?
Me: (laughs) Yes, basically.
Man: (stands up and reaches into his wallet) Well, today the Lord is parting your red sea. I want you to be able to have some spending money while you’re there. So I’m going to give you $500 for your ticket home.
Me: WHAT?!? Thank you so much!! (I hugged him)
Man: You’re very welcome! Happy Birthday and have a wonderful trip. If you have anymore questions about LA just let me know and I’d love to answer them for you.
I was overjoyed and couldn’t believe what just happened. But I could believe it because I was expecting it! I didn’t know how the Lord was going to do it but I knew that He would. And I felt the Lord whisper to me, “Happy Birthday!”.
I called my mum and shared the news with her and she started crying and so I started crying. She told me that after she dropped me off she was praying and asking the Lord to provide for me and He stopped her and told her to just begin to thank Him for it. So she started worshiping instead. We were both so overwhelmed with God’s faithfulness towards me!
I got on the plane and landed at LAX and bought my one way ticket back to KC.
God’s faithfulness is not a joke. He is such a loving Father that when we come before him, boldly approaching the throne of grace, bringing our requests to Him, He does not turn a deaf ear towards us. He leans in and listens intently. Jesus takes our requests and intercedes on our behalf to Daddy God and then we wait in confident expectation to see what He will do. Trusting in who He is! Faithful. Loving. Just. Merciful. Wonderful. Everlasting. Healer. Redeemer. Prince of Peace. Provider and so much more. Even when we can’t see what He is doing. He is ACTIVE!
So take heart! Know that the Lord hears you and He loves you!! He will answer you in His perfect timing and bring about deliverance for His Glory.
